Interview: Fred Leclercq of Sinsaenum Talks new EP “Ashes”

Concert Crap: Your latest release Ashes is full of brutal, heavy music. What were some key influences in putting these songs together?

Fred Leclercq: There were no key influences, I pretty much never stopped writing songs since the release of Echoes of the Tortured, and because I knew we wouldn’t be touring for it, I thought it’d be nice for the fans to have something to wait for until the second album and the tour. I guess the evolution of the music comes from everything: the critics (good or bad) of the first album, the discussions with the other band members, all the things I’ve been listening to since….

CC: What are some non-metal music elements that made their way into this album?

FL: Definitely some Allan Holdsworth influence in the solos of Ashes (a little) and Monarch of Death (a lot). And like I said, everything I listen to has an influence on my way of writing but didn’t necessarily make it onto the album.

CC: Which song was easiest to put together? Which was the hardest?

FL: Easiest? I’m not sure… perhaps “Ashes” because it’s more straight to the point and that represents where the band wants to go. The hardest would be “2099 (heretics)” because it’s a bit more epic with all of its changes.

CC: You’re working on an album to come out in 2018. How will the sound evolve between this current release and the next one?

FL: It’s too soon to tell but I’d like to keep it roughly the same as what we have now. I like the mix Francis Caste did. It’s very organic, dirty and powerful. As for the style, I have most of the songs ready and I’d say the 3 new songs give a good taste of what’s about to come.

CC: Is there a Sinsaenum tour in the works?

FL: Yes 🙂 but not before the release of the second album!

CC: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

FL: I’d like to thank you for the interview and for your interest in our music, and I also would like to thank the fans for their support. Check our social media (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) for the latest updates and let us know what you think of Ashes!